Liquid Poe-try: The Tell-Tale Heart

I recently had the pleasure of visiting a surprising (to me, at least) NYC historic treasure, Poe Cottage in the Bronx, Edgar Allan Poe’s last residence. While I had known that Poe had perished in Baltimore, I was unaware that he called the Bronx home for the last three years of his life. He wrote several of his well-known works here including “Annabel Lee”, “The Bells” and “The Cask of Amontillado”.

The Bronx had been “the country” back then, and he had moved there with his beloved wife, Virginia, and mother-in-law/aunt when his wife contracted tuberculosis and it was thought that the fresh air of the country would assist in her recovery. She lasted only three months after they moved in. She was likely the inspiration for “Annabel Lee” in which the narrator mourns his dead love who was taken to heaven because the angels were jealous of their “love that was more than love”.

Room where Poe’s wife, Virginia, perished of tuberculosis

I was inspired to create a cocktail that captured the gothic romance and horror of Poe’s work. I present to you”The Tell-Tale heart”.

I know Navan is no longer available but I wanted to use it because of the cognac base which I thought appropriate for this drink. I haven’t tried it yet, but since it is such a small amount, perhaps another vanilla liqueur would work.